| Myeongnyang Strait | |
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.jpg) Jindo Bridge [ko], over the strait (2004) | |
| Coordinates | 34°34′06″N126°18′28″E / 34.56833°N 126.30778°E /34.56833; 126.30778 |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 명량해협 |
| Hanja | 鳴梁海峽 |
| Revised Romanization | Myeongnyang Haehyeop |
| McCune–Reischauer | Myŏngnyang Haehyŏp |
| Location | |
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Myeongnyang Strait (Korean: 명량해협) is astrait separating the mainland of South Korea with the islandJindo. It separatesJindo County andHaenam County, and is located inSouth Jeolla Province. It is also calledUldolmok (울돌목;lit. screaming sea).[1]
The strait's original name was the native Korean term Uldolmok, which refers to reported loud sounds made by its rapid currents. When that name is rendered inHanja (Chinese characters), those characters can be read as "Myeongnyang", hence the current popular name.[2]
The strait is about 293 m (961 ft) wide at the narrowest point.[1][2] The average width is around 300 m (980 ft).[2] It widens from east to west.[2] At high tide, the water speed reaches 11.5knots and the depth reaches 19 m (62 ft).[1]
The strait has proved important at several points in Korean history. The seclusion it provided allowed theSambyeolcho Rebellion to take refuge here in 1271.[citation needed] In 1597, during theImjin War, the Korean admiral,Yi Sun-sin, achieved a decisive victory in theBattle of Myeongnyang although he was massively outnumbered by the Japanese fleet.[3][1]Tidal forces mean that the currents of the Myeongnyang Strait reverse direction roughly every three hours.[citation needed]
Jindo Bridge [ko], South Korea's longestcable-stayed bridge,[4] was the first bridge to be constructed over the strait; it was completed in 1984.[2] There is also a memorial toYi Sun-sin on the coast.
Authority control databases: National |
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